The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-25
ATTRACTIONS WHICH HELD THE
BOARDS AT THE
Memphis Theater since September
9th, When the Renovated
Amusement Temple
WAS FIRST THROWN OPEN TO
AN ANXIOUS PUBLIC.
Some Poor, Others Poorer, but the
Average Citizen Does Not
Complain.


patient and long suffering manag,
ment and public, in the main the
have been above the average. Wit
some OF these it was unfortunately III
case that they succeeded a conglom
Grafton OF little talent and no meri
and the consequence was peeuni r
suffering. Once nauseated with ur
worthy shows, 1t requires more thai
twenty four hours for people to re
cuperats.
The browning engagement OF tn
season was the three nights of tragedy
February 10th, 18th and 18th, will
Edwin Booth carrying the title roles
The magnificent old impersonator O
Shakespeare's mastery production
was joyfally greeted with crushing
and enthusiastic audiences at every
performance. Unlike any other artis
who held the boards, his representa-
tons were witnessed by peopl,
residing at distance of over i0(
miles. Seats were engaged, both b,
meil and telegraph, several days be
fore the engagement began and thirty
six hours prior to the opening Of thI
box office queue was found, number
ing dozsns OF men and boys. While
not Unprecedented the rush for scat
was fully up TO anything recorded in
the history Of amusements in this city
Despite Manager Gray's efforts to pre-
vent, spectators secured control OF the
situation to a provoking extent and
not few OF them came out with hand
some profits When the curtain
rolled up on the first night It disclosed
TO the stage people an audience filling
all available space, and consisting oil
representation of wealth, culture and
refinement. The grand old star sus-
tanned his reputation to the utmost,
although suffering greatly from hoarse.
ness. This state OF affairs with both
people and actors continued through
out the week, and the gross receipts
were estimated at over $4,000.
This was followed by Hanlon Bros.
in a spectacular pantomime production
entitled Fdntdsma Notwithstanding
the transition from the heavy and
somber side Of life To light and non
sensicsl absurdity with profusion OF
scenery, amusement lovers seemed to
cling lovingly to the memories OF the
former. The management cleared for
other fields with only moderate re-
turns at best.
The season opened Monday, Sep
TENDER 9th, with the Wilson 4
Rankin Minstrels. They appeared
three nights with an enlarged stock OF
old chestnuts, Just enough freeh and
original jokes being thrown in to
each the applause OF the crowd.
George Wilson discarded his "Waltx
Me Again" comicality, but fred
equally taking ridiculous fun at the
audience. Standing room WAS at a
remium, and the treasurer OF the
company, after squaring up accounts,
pulled the troupe out oaded to the
guards with cash. Thus the season
began with whoop.
Then came that cumbersome, I'M
wieldy spectacular humbug, Michael
Strogof, for three nights. II was not
even up to the standard raised by the
same attraction on former visit, and
scarcely enough wss real zed to float
the aggregation to another port.
Lizzie Evans, with a bright and
evenly balanced comedy company,
followed for weeks engagement. A
number OF light and pleasing dramas
were presented, and the little iavorite
vas fairly we'll remarked.
The Devils Auction, better atlraC-
ton than its name would imply, APP
peartd for one week. The engage
ment was too protracted for the linn
it, d pat onage for such high sounding
performances, and the management
emerged sorrowful and cast down.
Unfortunate, but richly deserving,
r. b. Mantell endesvoTed for one
week to draw and please the public
with an excellent presentation of
the legitimate, but for reasons
beyond explanation, met with only
partial succ ss. Misguided judgment
on the part OF the people alone per-
mitied this, as both star and support
were far above the average. Mr..
Msntell more than suetained the
laurels gained by his previous visit
with Called Back combination, and
his semi-failurs here is among the
many things beyond comprehension.
Perhaps the preceding spectacular
had temporarily vitiated tastes for
the legitimate.
October 25th, Goth and 9th, ZoSo,
The Magic Queen, with short skirts and
light drapeTy, also carrying hideOus
specimen OF the demon incarnate,
played to the usual number Of seats,
few of which were occupied. Bald
heads and reckless youths invaded
the Thsater cautiously, and some OF
these fad before the curtain rolled
down on the last act overcome. ZOeo
was a gorgeous failure.
The succeeding three days OF
the week, were assigned TO Charles
Pope, trsgedian, but thai gentle.
man had learned his fate In sd-
vance and begged off. The va.
csnCy caused a reaction Ia the
dearth OF patronage and Kate Castle
ton, with her killing lunatic and side
splitting policemen, drew average audi
ences an entire week. Crdsy Patch,
as mirth provoking plotess and
senseless monstrosity, is an indisput-
able success.
The second week In November was
divided between We, % & Co. by the
Mestayer- Vaughn Musical Comedy
Company, and Ada Gray's dramatic
combination. Neither overpowered
the amusement loving public with a
sense OF unparalleled worth, yet the
receipts enab ed them to depart from
the city few dollars better of than
when they arrived. They will doubt
less be more than willing to have pub
lie opinion ct some future day. The
latter was much the more deserving OF
the two, and yet Miss Gray has seen
her best days in theatrical way.
Kate Forsyth made the week OF
November 10Th to Goth memorable.
She presented number of society
plays in an artistic and satisfactory
mauner. The supporting company
was all that could he desired, and
throughout the entire engagement
large audiences attended with eminent
satisfaction. Miss Forsyth is a con-
scientious and, in some respects, bril-
lam, actress, with a magnetism and
,horoughness that tend to make her q